LODD: Capt.G.Burke, Houston Fire Dept. -- Roof Collapse

[Guest hoss]

Rest in Peace -- Captain Grady Burke,39 of the Houston Fire Dept., Texas

Feb. 19, 2005, 1:20PM

12-year veteran Houston firefighter killed today

Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Courtesy HFD

A 12-year veteran Houston firefighter was killed fighting a house fire early this morning. 

Six others were injured in the 6 a.m. fire at a vacant house on Brandon Street, near Texas 288 and Belfort, authorities said. 

Capt. Grady Burke, 39, died when the roof collapsed on him while inside the house in south Houston, said Assistant Chief Rick Flanagan.

None of the others' injuries required hospitalization and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Burke was married with three children, ages 7,8 and 9. He was serving out of Fire Station 46, at 3902 Corder. He is the 59th Houston firefighter to die in the line of duty. 

Burke entered the department in March 1993 and was promoted to captain in March 2003. Last year, the department awarded him with a unit medal of valor for his part in rescuing a trapped victim from a house fire in November 2003. 

The last HFD line-of-duty death was Kevin Kulow, who lost his life on April 4, 2004.